Ambitious plans to create what would be the region's first
five-star hotel alongside Europe's largest golf course have been
submitted to planners.

Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth, near Darlington, owned by Middlesbrough
Football Club, is the site for the development which aims to create one
of the UK's finest country house hotels.

In January, the public was given its first sight of the
multi-million pound plans to renovate the disused 19th Century hall into
a luxury complex.

Now a formal planning application has been submitted to Darlington
Council, which will launch a public consultation.

The 362-acre site will include a country house hotel and spa, a
well-being centre, banqueting and conference halls, Turkish baths and
three restaurants.

It will also boast what will be Europe's longest 18-hole
championship golf course, with exclusive club house.

The proposal also includes plans for a residential development of
26 luxury houses within the estate at Rockliffe.

The cost of the project is believed to be around pounds 50m. The
proposal has been put forward by development team Rockliffe Hall
Developments, with Middlesbrough FC the driving force behind the
enterprise.

Warwick Brindle, a spokesman for Rockliffe Hall Developments, said
its vision was "to create the best country house hotel the UK has
ever seen".

He said: "The development will represent a significant
investment in the local economy as well as the creation of more jobs for
the region."

Rockliffe Hall was built in 1863. It was originally owned by Alfred
Backhouse, a member of the Darlington's famous banking family.
During the Second World War, it was used by the military and was later
sold to the Hospitaller Order of St John of God.

Middlesbrough FC bought the site in 1996 and started work on the
pounds 7m training facilities two years later.

If planning is authorised, the development team hope to begin work
on construction this summer with completion of Rockliffe Hall expected
for opening in early 2009.

COPYRIGHT 2006 MGN Ltd.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.